Greater Western Victoria Rebels is preparing for a huge test against TAC Cup ladder leader Oakleigh Charges.
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The Rebels, who sit ninth on the ladder, have not tasted victory for five weeks and will be desperate to find consistency in their game.
The talented Jed Hill returns after recovering from an ankle injury, big man Lloyd Meek is back after a severe corky suffered at VFL-level while Joe Dodd also comes into the line-up.
Hill is a big inclusion for the Rebels. He has played the past two weeks locally and is ready to go.
While he will not play maximum game-time, coach Gerard FitzGerald expects him to have an impact when he is on the ground.
“He gives us another good option forward of the ball, we think he can play a variety of roles in the forward half of the ground,” FitzGerald said.
“He’s had a good fortnight...he won’t have a lot of game-time, but we expect him to be able to deliver fairly well for the time he’s out there.”
On a day where the club will be raising funds for the Ronald McDonald House, the Rebels will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing month.
FitzGerald said his group would need to bring a better intensity to the match.
“We didn’t play with the level of intensity...that starting-level resolve, I call it, regardless of any external motivational forces – just to go out and compete.”
FitzGerald also said the group had been working on some structural elements during the week – maintaining possession and defending the ground after a turnover.
“You need to know when to make a decision as an individual about when possession’s lost.
“The cue I give my blokes is, if you can’t influence the next contest then you go and get on an opponent.
“It’s a matter of getting back and covering off.
“Because getting yourself back into a good defensive position gives you the best chance of actually winning the ball back.”